A Lawyers ethical obligations to their clients in accordance with the Spanish Code of Conduct for lawyers https://www.abogacia.es/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Codigo-Deontologico-2019.pdf
- A lawyer MUST act in the best interest of the client BEFORE their own.
- The lawyer has an ABSOLUTE duty of confidentiality.
- A lawyer MAY NOT act where there is a conflict of interest.
- A lawyer MUST disclose any conflicts when asked by a client.
- Legal fees and charges MUST be fair and reasonable.
- A lawyer MUST provide an approximate amount of total fees at inception of the case.
- Lawyers MUST provide a detailed invoice.
- Lawyers MUST achieve the most cost-effective resolution.
- Client money MUST be placed into a separate bank account.
- A lawyer CANNOT mix client and lawyer monies.
- A lawyer MUST have professional indemnity insurance.
- A lawyer MUST inform a client if they DO NOT have insurance if asked.
- A lawyer cannot be paid commission by a third party.
- A Lawyer is obliged to inform his client about the feasibility of the case.
- A lawyer MUST provide regular case updates.
- All client complaints MUST be replied within 1 month of receipt.
- Lawyers CANNOT retain a client’s documents without the client’s consent.
In addition, the Code of Conduct for European Lawyers states common rules which apply to all lawyers from the European Union, the European Economic Area, the Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom, as well as associated and observer countries, whatever Bar or Law Society they belong to in relation to their cross- border practice. In particular, it aims at defining the applicable rules when the deontological rules of more than one member country are applicable in accordance with their terms: https://www.ccbe.eu/fileadmin/speciality_distribution/public/documents/DEONTOLOGY/DEON_CoC/EN_DEONTO_2021_Model_Code.pdf
If you have received poor service from a lawyer, have a look at our article about what you can do at https://buenosabogados.es/what-can-i-do-if-i-have-received-poor-service-from-a-lawyer/
